American Airlines takes delivery of first 777 plane

Dec 11 (Reuters) - American Airlines said on Tuesday it tookdelivery of the first of 14 Boeing extended range 777-300planes it has ordered.

The twin-aisle plane, which has more than 300 seats andoffers first class, business class and main cabins, will be usedon the Dallas/Fort Worth to Sao Paulo route in early 2013.

American, a unit of AMR Corp, said the planewould also fly to London Heathrow Airport from Dallas/Fort Worthand New York's John F. Kennedy Airport.

American, which is currently operating under Chapter 11bankruptcy protection and weighing a potential merger with USAirways Group, said it was the first U.S. airline toorder and take delivery of the 777-300ER.

The carrier is modernizing its fleet and has more than 550planes on order.